Axle Measurements

[SomthngShiny]

Hi All,
Long time Wannabe, First time Owner....
Does anyone have the necessary measurements to replace (order) the axles on my '76 Excella 31'? I would like to increase the ride height at the same time. My tow vehical is a F-350 Supercab with a V-10.
Bob

[BradB]

Hi Bob,

What company are you going with? I went with Axis through Colin Hyde and did not need to provide him any measurements - drop in replacement though. I've got the same trailer just not the Excella. I'll hopefully have them in a few weeks. I checked Dexter too but there were very expensive here and they would not have been drop in.

[Lumatic]

Call Dexter and have them send you the applications manual. the dimensions you will need are:
fish plate to fish plate mounting flange inside and outside
hub face to hub face
axle rating
trailing arm angle (22 1/2 degrees is the original)
hub bolt pattern

[featherbedder]

I pur. axles yesterday [1/28/13/ from Colin Hyde for 1976 31 Ft. AS, Axis axles has correct specs for AS. Colin is very nowleadgable very pleasant to deal with no need to measure, Just tell him what you want.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by SomthngShiny

Hi All,
Long time Wannabe, First time Owner....
Does anyone have the necessary measurements to replace (order) the axles on my '76 Excella 31'? I would like to increase the ride height at the same time. My tow vehical is a F-350 Supercab with a V-10.
Bob

Axle specs are not needed when purchased from a well known supplier.

Changing the originals spec, is a different matter for someone that is not familiar with the "how to".

Altering axle specs for owners replacement axles to accompodate different tasks from the original axles, is done everyday.

Andy

[JackP]

I agree with the others - order through Colin Hyde. I just told him which trailer I had and he knew which axles to order.

[DKB_SATX]

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

Axle specs are not needed when purchased from a well known supplier.

Changing the originals spec, is a different matter for someone that is not familiar with the "how to".

Altering axle specs for owners replacement axles to accompodate different tasks from the original axles, is done everyday.

Andy

It is a good idea to take the measurements, however. It was an improvement with my '75 Argosy to go with the "standard" hub face-to-hub face measurement (the wheels are better-centered in the wells now, they were closer to the frame than the skin before) it would have been useful to know that the aft flange-to-flange measurement is different from the forward one that I measured (and that is close to the spec.) The rear axle required a spacer plate because of that off-square condition, but they work great.

I'm sure that 99 time out of 100, the standard measurements fit up perfectly. I ended up with one of the "unique" ones.

[SomthngShiny]

I am hoping to source them myself......Budget wise.....I know, it's an "Airstream", but I live reasonably close to the manufacturers. I have contacted Colin, and I am waiting for a quote from Andy @ Inland RV.

[overlander63]

Before you order, make sure of the return and warranty policy of whomever you order from. Ask them if the axles are not what was ordered, or if there were errors in manufacturing, what their policy for taking care of the problem is. I know of several axles that were either not what was ordered, or the incorrect axles were built, and the long time dealer refused to make good on it. Those people now have spare axles that won't fit anything.

[Frank's Trailer Works]

There are very few differences in the measurements, however I have found that not all are the same. A very common measurement is 58" bracket to bracket and 75" hub face to hub face. I have seen that 58" vary a great deal however. I seen it 57 7/8" and have seen it 58 1/8". I always measure even though my axle guy has more years doing this than I have been alive. The last thing I want to do is shim or cut. I want to put them in.

[Frank's Trailer Works]

Originally Posted by SomthngShiny

I am hoping to source them myself......Budget wise.....I know, it's an "Airstream", but I live reasonably close to the manufacturers. I have contacted Colin, and I am waiting for a quote from Andy @ Inland RV.

That is a great desire but unfortunately none of the manufacturers are going to deal with you directly. I, as a guy who installs axles all the time have to deal with a middleman too.

And a real important point; DO NOT let someone talk you into 10" brakes. You are not saving anything worth saving by doing that. Brake technology might have improved, but more stopping is more stopping and going with 10" brakes only makes the bottom line look better on paper.

[TG Twinkie]

If you are considering using a local manufacturer. I would suggest removing one of the axles and taking it to them. Your trailer tag should show the axle rating, plus there should be a tag on the axle with the data. One should consider increasing the axle rating slightly when installing new axles.

[Lumatic]

Originally Posted by 62overlander

There are very few differences in the measurements, however I have found that not all are the same. A very common measurement is 58" bracket to bracket and 75" hub face to hub face. I have seen that 58" vary a great deal however. I seen it 57 7/8" and have seen it 58 1/8". I always measure even though my axle guy has more years doing this than I have been alive. The last thing I want to do is shim or cut. I want to put them in.

When I got my new Dexters the brackets were a little off. I called Dexter and they said their tolerance was + or- 1/8". Shimming is no big deal it would be a problem if they did not fit because they are too big.

Also if you order to spec make sure you emphasize high profile reverse orientation mounting brackets or they won't fit.

You can also ask for a shock mounting bolt to be installed.

If all this makes you too nervous go with Colin Hyde or Inland who knows what you nned.

PS
I have 10" brakes on my 4500 pound Tradewind and have absolutely no complaints. This was also the difference between ordering a #10 and #11 axles and considerably cheaper.

[JackP]

Originally Posted by JackP

I agree with the others - order through Colin Hyde. I just told him which trailer I had and he knew which axles to order.

Just realized that Andy from Inland sell axles too. Although I didn't buy my axles from him I did purchase an awning and a few other items from him and was very pleased.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Lumatic

When I got my new Dexters the brackets were a little off. I called Dexter and they said their tolerance was + or- 1/8". Shimming is no big deal it would be a problem if they did not fit because they are too big.

Also if you order to spec make sure you emphasize high profile reverse orientation mounting brackets or they won't fit.

You can also ask for a shock mounting bolt to be installed.

If all this makes you too nervous go with Colin Hyde or Inland who knows what you nned.

PS
I have 10" brakes on my 4500 pound Tradewind and have absolutely no complaints. This was also the difference between ordering a #10 and #11 axles and considerably cheaper.

Your brakes are absolutely under rated for your trailer. Plus, if the tow vehicle brakes failed, your 10 inch brakes would never stop the trailer and tow vehicle. IMPOSSIBLE !!

Ten inch electric brakes, regardless of the manufacturer have a maximum stopping power of 3500 pounds.

Contrary to some opinions, 12 inch electric brakes cost the same exact amount as 10 inch brakes, when purchasing new axles.

The stopping power at maximum for 12 inch brakes is 6000 pounds.

Regular electric brakes should be adjusted at least every 3 to 4 thousand miles to assure that the stopping power is at or close to maximum.

The recent arrival of "self adjusting" electric brakes is a huge improvement for the RV industry, since the brakes stay at 100 percent of their rating. Their additional cost is very minor and certainly well worth it.

Since they have become availble, we have sold 4 regular 12 inch backing plates and over 400 self adjsuting backing plates.

That speaks for itself, loud and clear.

Self adjusters, adjust them selves each time the trailer backs up.

No more worries.

Andy

[Inland RV Center, In]

Airstream, since 1961, has always installed 12 inch brakes on the single axle 24 foot trailers.

For that matter, they did the same thing even for the 19 and 20 foot trailers.

Ten inch brakes, by any terms, are extrememly inadequate for those trailers, and are an absolute "safety hazard".

Andy

[Lance M]

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

Your brakes are absolutely under rated for your trailer. Plus, if the tow vehicle brakes failed, your 10 inch brakes would never stop the trailer and tow vehicle. IMPOSSIBLE !!

Ten inch electric brakes, regardless of the manufacturer have a maximum stopping power of 3500 pounds.



Andy

You must have missed something.

Tandem axle Trade Wind. Two axles with 10" brakes

#3,500x2=#7000 of stopping force.



#7,000
-#4,500
#2,500 reserve(excess) capacity.

Not to mention the coefficient of friction of the tires.
See post.
And this link.

[TG Twinkie]

If anyone thinks that their trailer brakes will save them if the TV brakes fail. Good Luck with that!
I wouldn't want to be coming down a grade of much more than a 1/2 mile and have to depend on trailer brakes alone.
I don't care if they are 10" or 12", they will overheat and fade in a very short amount of time without the TV brakes.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by TG Twinkie

If anyone thinks that their trailer brakes will save them if the TV brakes fail. Good Luck with that!
I wouldn't want to be coming down a grade of much more than a 1/2 mile and have to depend on trailer brakes alone.
I don't care if they are 10" or 12", they will overheat and fade in a very short amount of time without the TV brakes.

Your some what correct, but the 12 inch brakes at least gives you a fighting chance.

When I was with Caravanner Insurance, we had an insured that lost his tow vehicle brakes as he was coming down the exit side of the Peace bridge in Buffalo New York.

No damage to anything, and save his family from a crash.

Alkthough he did admit that he had a little stain on the front seat.

Andy

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Top

You must have missed something.

Tandem axle Trade Wind. Two axles with 10" brakes

#3,500x2=#7000 of stopping force.



#7,000
-#4,500
#2,500 reserve(excess) capacity.

Not to mention the coefficient of friction of the tires.
See post.
And this link.

Your absolutely correct.

I goofed.

But, rarely would the trailer brakes be in 100 percent perfomance.

Also, I am not aware of a tow vehicle and it's payload that would max out at 2500 pounds.

When it comes to safety, is there any, so to speak, "EXCESS CAPACITY" of brakes?

Or might it be considered a 'safety margin"?

Andy